The Sequoia Math Department teaches a
comprehensive series of courses aligned to state standards designed to
increase students' understanding and competency in increasingly complex
mathematics. Our goals are to improve the success rate of all of our
students and support all students in completing a high level of
mathematics. We encourage students to go beyond the minimum two year
requirement and strive to get the majority of the students to complete
required a-g courses. Our highest level of coursework include IB
Standard Level and Higher Level mathematics with further courses in
Multivariable Calculus, Differential Equations, and Linear Algebra. We
also offer additional Support classes for students below grade level in
grades 9 and 10 and have an Algebra Readiness course for those students
far below grade level upon entering high school.

The teachers in the Mathematics Department
work collaboratively in curricular teams to provide consistency and
support. All teams meet on a regular basis to discuss pacing,
strategies, data, best practices and assessments.

The department adopted the College
Preparatory Math (CPM) curricula for Algebra I (9th grade), Geometry,
Algebra II, and Pre-Calculus. This program comes from the University of
California at Davis and is a nationally recognized program named as one
of five exemplary math programs nationwide by the US Department of
Education. CPM is a time-tested program and has been adopted by
thousands of schools throughout the U.S and internationally. It includes
the same curriculum as the traditional math textbooks, but it is
presented in a unique fashion. Each unit includes an overriding problem
anchored in the real world. Teachers coach, lead students to discovery,
pose questions, lecture, monitor learning, clarify, and summarize
concepts. The integrated curriculum spirals concepts throughout the
course. Mastery is not expected the first time that a student is exposed
to a concept; rather, mastery is expected over time as the students
come in contact with concepts over and over again. The approach focuses
on core concepts throughout the year and incorporates the 8 Mathematical
Practices of the Common Core curriculum.

Algebra I (10-12th grade) curricula is
coordinated throughout the district and utilizes the state-adopted
Prentice Hall textbook as well as a variety of supplemental materials.
Students in Algebra I are required to take a common benchmark assessment
each quarter. Algebra II students use the newly district-adopted
Glencoe Algebra II textbook. IB courses utilize approved instructional
materials in addition to other texts.

There are sixteen fully-credentialed math
teachers in our department. We all make ourselves available to tutor
individually by posting office hours. Most teachers are available during
brunch and lunch and frequently before or after school. In addition, we
offer a math support program before and after school in the library via
the SAFE program where students can get help on all levels of math.
Every Tuesday we offer evening tutorials; one section for our
Pre-Calculus and Calculus students and another section for our other
courses. Students may drop in during the three hours to get assistance
on concepts and assignments from a department math teacher.

If you have any questions about our curriculum or department, please contact the department chair, Steven Wong, at swong@seq.org

Algebra Readiness/Algebra Topics/Algebra I

This is a two-year remedial course for
incoming 9th grade students who are not ready to take Algebra I. Algebra
Readiness includes the study of pre-algebraic skills and concepts
described in the Mathematics Framework for California Public Schools.
The nine topics are whole numbers, operations on whole numbers, rational
number, operations on rational numbers, symbolic notation, equations
and functions, the coordinate plane, graphing proportional
relationships, and algebra. The course meets 2 periods - once every
block day and twice on Mondays. The two courses function as a single
class, meeting a total of 100 minutes daily. Elective credit in freshmen
year earned for this course will not count toward the Math graduation
requirement. However, completion of the course at the end of 10th grade
constitutes completion of an entire Algebra I course. Students receive
math credit during sophomore year.

Algebra Support

This is a course to support freshmen and
sophomore students who are concurrently enrolled in Algebra I. The
course focuses on the prerequisites and skills needed for Algebra I and
preparation for CAHSEE. Alternative methodologies such as hands on
manipulatives are used in this class. Elective credit earned for this
course will not count toward the Math graduation requirement.

A rigorous college-prep course required by
all 4-year colleges. Geometrical concepts are discovered by and taught
to students through guided lessons. Topics covered include inductive and
deductive reasoning, angles, polygons, congruent triangles,
constructions, circles, right triangles, similarity, solids, logic, and
introductory trigonometry.

Prerequisite: Completion of Algebra I
or department recommendation. Open to 9th-graders who have earned a B
or better in a formal full-year algebra course in the 8th grade.

Accelerated Geometry/Algebra II Trigonometry

This course is designed to accelerate
advanced students to enable them to take calculus and higher level math
(after calculus) in their junior and/or senior years. The material is
covered at an honors level, and is accelerated so that two courses are
taught in one year. The course is excellent preparation for the analysis
and synthesis required in advanced math courses. The course covers
geometry from a deductive perspective. Topics include proofs, lines,
triangles, polygons, vectors, circles, and 3D geometry. The algebra 2
portion of the course covers functions, graphing, polynomials,
transcendental functions, rational expressions and equations, radical
expressions and equations, trigonometry, complex numbers, and sequences
and series. In addition, some topics in probability and statistics will
be included as time allows. Students successfully completing this
accelerated course may directly enroll in precalculus the following
year.

Prerequisites: Algebra 1 with an B or better, teacher recommendation highly encouraged, and a strong desire to learn mathematics.

Algebra II

A math elective, Algebra 2 is a
college-prep class. Algebra 1 concepts are reviewed and are taken to a
more sophisticated level. The new topics include the applications of
linear, quadratic, exponential, and logarithmic equations, systems of
equations, determinants, Cramer's Rule, exponential and logarithmic
functions, and introductions to conic sections, probability, and
statistics.

Prerequisite: Completion of Algebra 1 and Geometry with C- or better

Algebra II/Trigonometry

A math elective, Algebra II/Trigonometry is
a college-prep class. Algebra I concepts are reviewed and taken to a
more sophisticated level. New topics include the applications of linear,
quadratic, exponential and logarithmic equations, determinants, systems
of equations, exponential and logarithmic functions, conic sections,
sequences, statistics, and probability. The course also includes
trigonometry including sine, cosine, and tangent functions and the Laws
of Sine and Cosine. Special emphasis is placed on mathematical modeling,
graphical representations, and investigations.

Prerequisite: Completion of Algebra I and Geometry with a C or better.

IB Math Studies

This rigorous, one-year math offering is
designed to provide a realistic mathematics course for students with
varied backgrounds and abilities Students most likely to select this
course are those whose main interests lie outside the field of
mathematics. The course develops the skills needed to cope with the
mathematical demands of a technological society with an emphasis on the
application of math to real-life situations. Some of the topics covered
include logic, statistics, introductory calculus, as well as a review of
geometry and topics from Algebra II. Students enrolled in this course
will take the IB Math Studies exam.

A challenging elective course, whose
purpose is to prepare students to take AP Calculus and/or IB Math SL/HL
the following year. The first semester covers a wide range of topics,
including trigonometry, inverse functions, including circular trig,
triangle trig, vector, logarithms, and real world modeling with
sinusoidal functions. The emphasis is on integrating graphing into the
study of all concepts. The second semester is function theory, rational
functions, matrices, probability and statistics, Algebra for college
Mathematics, polar functions, and series.

Prerequisite: Completion of Algebra II/Trigonometry

AP Statistics

This course introduces students to the
major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing
conclusions from data. Students are exposed to four broad conceptual
themes: 1) exploring data: describing patterns and departures from
patterns, 2) sampling and experimentation: planning and conducting a
study, 3) anticipating patterns: exploring random phenomena using
probability and simulation, 4) statistical inference: estimating
population parameters and testing hypotheses.

This course covers the Calculus curriculum
as set forth by the College Board Advanced Placement program and the
International Baccaluareate Programme. The course includes topics such
as limits, definition of the derivative, applications of the derivative,
the Mean Value Theorum, and integral calculus concepts. In addition,
the course reviews vectors, matrices, trigonometry, and other IB topics.
Students who successfully complete this course will be prepared to take
the APAB Calculus exam and IB Standard Level Math exam. This course is
also the first year of the two year higher level IB/AP math

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Pre-Calculus with a C- or better. (B highly recommended)

IB Higher Level (HL) Year 2B Higher Level Year 2, AP Calculus (BC)

This course follows the IB Higher Level
Year 1/AP Calculus (AB) course, and is designed for gifted math
students. The course covers all of the material from BC calculus that
was not covered in AP Calculus (AB), and uses the textbook from UC
Berkeley's core calculus for math majors sequence. Additionally, a wide
range of other advanced topics are covered including calculus based
probability theory, complex analysis, functional analysis, separable and
first order nonhomogeneous differential equations, advanced induction
proofs, multivariable vector geometry and introductory vector calculus.
This course not only provides excellent preparation for the BC calculus
AP exam, but it also gives students a big advantage in their college
mathematics courses. Students who successfully complete the course will
be prepared to take the AP/BC exam and the IB Higher Level exam.
Students will also receive transferable college credit from Canada
college.

Prerequisite: Completion of IB Math HL Year 1/Advanced Placement Calculus (AB or BC) with a C or better (B is highly recommended)

Multivariable Calculus

This course follows IB
Higher Level Year 2/AP Calculus (BC), and covers the traditional
university level multivariable calculus curriculum. The course covers
parametric equations and polar, spherical, and cylindrical coordinates
(calculus based), vectors and the geometry of space, vector functions,
the calculus of functions of several variables, multiple integrals,
vector calculus, including Green's Theorem and Stoke's Theorem, and
second order differential equations and their applications.
Additionally, the material from IB Higher Level Year 2 is reviewed to
make sure that students are prepared for the IB exam. Students will
receive transferable collge credit for this class from Canada college.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of IB HL Y2

Ordinary Differential Equations

This is a standard, top university level
introductory course in ordinary differential equations. The textbook we
have adopted is the book used for the same course at Stanford
University. Topics include, but are not limited to: separable ordinary
differential equations (ODEs), first order homogeneous and nonhomogenous
linear ODEs, second order homogeneous and nonhomogeneous linear ODE's,
higher order linear ODE's, systems of linear ODE's, series solutions, a
wide variety of applications to ODE's, numerical methods, computing and
ODE's, and nonlinear ODE's. This course also provides a review of the HL
Year 2 material for students who need to take the IB Higher Level exam,
and students will be asked to take a leadership role in
teaching/tutoring HL Year 2 students. Other upper division university
level topics will be taught as time allows, based on student interest.
Students completing this course will also receive transferable college
credit from Canada College.

Linear Algebra

This is a standard, top university level
introductory course in linear algebra. The textbook we have adopted is
also used by Stanford University and several UC campuses. Course
curriculum includes, but is not limited to: matrix computations/matrix
algebra, methods of solving systems of linear equations in linear
algebra, determinants, vector spaces, eigenvalues and eigenvectors,
orthogonality and least squares, symmetric matrices and quadratic forms,
a wide variety of applications to linear algebra, and computing in
linear algebra. This course also provides a review of the HL Year 2
material for students who need to take the IB Higher Level exam, and
students will be asked to take a leadership role in teaching/tutoring HL
Year 2 students. Other upper division university level topics will be
taught as time allows, and based on student interest. Students
completing this course will also receive transferable college credit
from Canada College.